noun

1. 1. a unit of length in the FPS system, equal to 3 feet or 36 inches (0.9144 meter): abbrev. yd
   2. a cubic yard, equal to 27 cubic feet or 46,656 cubic inches (0.7646 cubic meter)
2. Naut.
   1. a slender rod or spar, tapering toward the ends, fastened at right angles across a mast to support a sail
   2. the transverse member of a mast on non-sailing ships: used to hold signal flags, lights, etc.
3. ☆ Slang one hundred dollars or, sometimes, one thousand dollars

Etymology: ME yerde < OE gierd, rod, staff, yard measure, akin to obs. Ger gerte, rod < IE *hazdho-, var. of base *ghasto-, rod, pole > L hasta, pole, spear

noun

1. 1. the space or grounds surrounding or surrounded by a building or group of buildings: often in combination churchyard, farmyard, etc.
   2. a plot of grass adjacent to a building, house, etc.
2. a pen or other enclosure for livestock or poultry
3. an enclosed place used for a particular purpose or business a lumberyard, shipyard
4. a place where wild deer, moose, etc. herd together for feeding during the winter
5. a railroad center where trains are made up, serviced, switched from track to track, etc.

Etymology: ME yerd < OE geard, enclosure, akin to ON garthr, OHG gart, garden < IE *gherdh-, to enclose, surround (> girdle, Russ górod, town) < base *her-, to grasp, contain

transitive verb